If you are a frequent movie-goer and want to experience the same at home then the home theater system could mimic that experience. If you do it right then it could rival the perfect commercial cinema experience and in some cases could beat it even.
With the gorgeous picture quality of the modern video projectors or LED screens along with the lifelike audio system, you will be all set for perfect entertainment at home. It is not something for an individual but your entire family and friends could join in for some great cinema experience at home.
Your entertainment is only guaranteed if you have the perfect equipment that is ideally set up within the most desirable space at home. Anything purchased or installed wrong could completely ruin the experience. Therefore, you need to be careful with the process and follow this guide for all the information required.
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Top 10 Home Theater Systems
If you are all set with your best-LED TV or a projector system and screen then you can spruce up the living space at your home with the best home theater systems. The products listed below are thoroughly evaluated and have passed our features and quality criteria in flying colors. Have a deep look at the products below with all their features and then take your well-informed decision:
Bose Lifestyle 650 Home Theater System
When it comes to having some good sound experience then Bose is second to none. It is a great platform to support a wide array of audio formats which includes Dolby Digital, DTS, and multichannel PCM. This setup from the brand could handle connections for as many as six video sources that are HDMI enabled. With the five-speaker central channel system, you will get a full spectrum of sound along with the four compact omnidirectional speakers.
The unassuming wireless subwoofer system provides entertainment seekers with some incredible bass that you would love for music, movies, or gaming. If you are serious about splurging on a module from one of the most recognized brands then this one is a spectacular option for you.
It is Alexa and Bluetooth enabled for voice control. There is a built-in NFC as well. The system is also found to be compatible with Apple AirPlay 2 with a lot of other exciting features.
Pros
- Simplistic but highly elegant design
- ADAPTiQ headset option for sound optimization
- Expandable system
- 1-month money-back guarantee
- Dual color options
Cons
- Installation is complicated
Video Credit: Kpaceguy
Sony HT-S350 Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer
Sony provides home theater system lovers with this ultimate upgrade that features a 2.1 channel system with the wireless subwoofer. The total power on offer will be 320 Watts which will bring the acoustic content to reality with immense clarity and volume.
This set from Sony is believed to be a solid starter home theater system. There will be that great virtual sound technology for the provisioning of cinematic sound that comes from the central speaker.
Pros
- Different sound modes
- Bluetooth streaming
- Dolby Digital compatible
- Remote based voice control
- Conveniently mountable equipment
Cons
- Not expandable
- Bulkier subwoofer
Video Credit: Abt Electronics
Nakamichi Shockwafe Elite 800W Dolby Soundbar with Dual Subwoofers
Give this home theater system a chance to completely transform your home space into a top-quality cinema within a few minutes. The 8 inches dual subwoofers provide a ground-shaking sound that will take your home theater system experience par excellence.
This variant is modeled after the award-winning sound system from the Nakamichi brand. This scaled-down variant is a much affordable option than the original product.
The different modes with the spatial sounds along with the single button optimization provide great sound control that is based upon the size of your room. It is the eight speakers’ soundbar that is truly the star of the show.
Pros
- DTS:X and Dolby Atmos compatible
- Bluetooth with Qualcomm
- Optimized experience with OLED, QLED, and HD TVs
- Backlit remote
- Sleek design and easy setup
Cons
- Remote with very limited range
Polk Audio Home Theater System with Subwoofers
Through Polk Audio setup, you will be in for a treat with a huge sound coming from 15 speakers. These are bookshelf speakers and each one of them comes with a 5.25 inches driver and with a tweeter of 0.75 inches. Thanks to its extremely powerful subwoofer which will provide entertainment seekers with extra punch and bass. The out for this could be up to 100 watts which is quite good for a subwoofer.
This 5.1 channel equipment comes with a center channel, a couple of bookshelf speakers, two-tower speakers, and a subwoofer. The tower system has proven to be an excellent choice for small or medium-sized theater rooms. However, they could be expanded easily to fit in some larger rooms with ease. All you need to have is an extra set of speakers and subwoofers as per your needs.
Pros
- Excellent acoustic resonance regulator
- Dynamic balance technology
- Bass radiators
- Compatible with multiple AV receivers
- Sturdy construction
Cons
- Requires extensive receiver setup
Klipsch Home Theater System with HDMI ARC
This one is a 45 inches 3.1 soundbar that comes with a wireless subwoofer of 8 inches. This model is believed to be one of the best if not the best within the league of systems with 600W peak power. Among the plug-and-play home theater systems, this one from Klipsch is truly a masterpiece. This 3.channel featuring comes with an incredible soundbar along with the down-firing 10 inches wireless subwoofer. The setup is quite easy. Al you need is to plug in your optical cable or HDMI into the TV and then get quick sound within seconds which will all be theater-quality. The large subwoofer that comes with this one has a very powerful and crisp bass response. It will make a huge difference when you will use the system for action movies or concert films etc.
Pros
- Compatible with Dolby Digital
- Virtualized surround sound
- Premium wood used in manufacturing
- System is expandable
- 1-year warranty
VIZIO Sound Bar Surround Sound System with Bluetooth and Wireless Subwoofer
If affordability matters to you for your home entertainment system then you must take a serious look at this incredible home theater system. If you make a comparison with its competitive products then you will find it jam-packed with a range of high-end features. It is admirable considering its price. In this system setup, you will get five different speakers. Three of those speakers are in the soundbar while the other two are peripheral speakers. This equipment is capable of delivering sounds up to 101 dB which is quite unbelievable. On top of that, the quality of sound will also be amazing where you will also get 50 Hz of pure bass. It will all be mixed with the power of the subwoofer which connects wirelessly to the main soundbar equipment. It could also work seamlessly with Google assistant and you would also get a built-in Chromecast as well.
Pros
- Compatible with DTS:X and Dolby Audio
- WiFi streaming enabled
- Bluetooth enabled
- Affordable with easy setup
- 1-year manufacturer warranty
Cons
- No support for 4K HDR
- Remote comes with the flimsy quality
Definitive Technology Pro Cinema 800 System
If you buy this one then you will be surely getting some huge sound from the system from its small and convenient satellite speakers. The mid/ bass radiators are pressure-coupled which provides quite a warm and rich sound. The bass radiator is an incredible technology that is known for delivering efficient bass along with low sound distortion.
If you are looking for a flawless cinematic set up at home then this system is quite hard to beat. This one is a 5.1 channel setup where you will be getting a very strong center channel along with the four compatible satellite speakers and a useful subwoofer as well.
On top of that, you could also add on the speakers or subwoofers in case you would like to expand on this one where scalability could be right as per your changing needs. The tower speaker sound with this one comes with quite a smaller footprint.
Pros
- Compatible with DTS:X and Dolby Audio
- WiFi streaming enabled
- Bluetooth enabled
- Affordable with easy setup
- 1-year manufacturer warranty
Cons
- A wired system with a complicated setup
Polk Audio Home Theater Sound System MagniFi Max SR
This is a bigger piece of equipment that promises to provide much more dynamic sound. Inside this slim and sleek model, there are 7 extremely powerful drivers packed along with the tweeters. A plug-and-play wireless subwoofer is also included with the setup. You will find this 5.1 system to be quite simple but it comes with an incredible range of options and features. You may easily connect a Smart TV or other smart devices for enjoying the outstanding sound quality that comes from the Stereo Dimensional Array (SDA) technology. This is what is responsible for the elimination of any crosstalk while providing you with a clear and clean sound experience at your home.
Pros
- Wireless speakers and subwoofer
- WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity
- Voice adjustment technology
- Specific modes for music, movies, and sports
- Excellent SDA Surround technology
Cons
- Simplistic remote design
Yamaha Audio YAS-209BL Home Theater System with Wireless Subwoofer
You will get to enjoy this one with either optical cable or HDMI. On top of that, you will get an auto subwoofer connection as well. The wireless subwoofer provided is the one with deep bass along with the perfect flexible placement. Yamaha is a very reliable brand as it is also a leading manufacturer of AV equipment along with plenty of product lines which makes life easier. This equipment is good enough to align seamlessly with its legacy. You will find this system to be more of a budget-conscious pick for the range of features that it has got to offer. It is a streamlined kind of 3D system with no need for having and installing several speakers all around your theater room. You will get this one to be compatible with the Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic, and DTS:X.
Pros
- Alexa built-in voice controls
- Speech enhancement
- Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity
- 4K & 3D pass-through support
- Convenient plug and play setup
Cons
- Not compatible with all streaming devices
Sonos Arc Premium Soundbar
You can trust this equipment for bringing in all of your much-needed entertainment to life. All this will come with an exceptionally realistic sound. It will offer you 3D sound along with the Dolby Atmos. The experience of people with movies, games, and TV shows will be magnificent. Thanks to the immersive and precise sound offered through the smart soundbar. This is a simpler system but not a soundbar for the starters in terms of its technology. This is designed by taking input from Oscar-winning sound engineers. You may run it as a standalone soundbar or may add a subwoofer with it.
Pros
- Alexa built-in controls
- Compatible with Dolby Atmos
- Sleek design with a discreet footprint
- Superior sound quality
- 45 days of the money-back guarantee
Cons
- Suitable with larger TVs only
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Home Theater Systems
Do AV receivers also come with radio tuners?
You may look for one that comes with a built-in radio tuner as all of the systems don’t have it. If not then you still have the option to access plenty of internet-based radio stations for enjoying all genres of music.
What is HDMI pass through?
It means that the A/V streams going through the receiver are not processed. There is no transfer of HD sound here. For this purpose, you will require Optical audio. This one supports the Dolby Digital (DD) and Digital Theater Systems (DTS) only.
Is TV a better choice for the home theater system or the projector screen?
If you have a smaller room then TV is a much better and comfortable option. The projector screens are usually suitable for large rooms where you sit a bit far away from the screen.
Do home theater systems come with wireless speaker sets as well?
Yes, you may get a home theater system with wireless speakers which are more desirable. However, there are other systems with wired speakers as well, which are also preferred.
What is the difference between a soundbar and a true home theater system?
There are many different types of sound bars available today. Some are wireless while others are wired. Some have Dolby Atmos built-in while others do not. You can choose the type of soundbar you want based on what you prefer.
Are surround sound systems wireless?
Wireless speakers are great because they’re easy to move around and don’t require much effort to install. However, they do come with some drawbacks. You’ll have to deal with the fact that there are wires running behind them, making it difficult to conceal them. In addition, you won’t be able to use the speaker as a surround sound device unless you purchase additional components such as a center channel speaker.
How Do You Build A Premium Home Theater System?
Home Theater Systems are expensive, but you can save money by buying used equipment. You should buy your components separately, especially if you’re going to use them as gifts. Make sure you get the right size speakers for your room.
How Much Power and Capacity?
Power is measured in watts. Bigger speakers make less noise. Smaller speakers make lots of noise but don’t move much air.
Subwoofer sizes should be based on how much bass you want to produce. You shouldn’t be fooled by claims about ports or resonance chambers. Raw power and size are what matters most.
Things to consider when buying Home Theater Systems
A lot of first-timers with the home theater systems have a lot of confusion as the equipment with multiple components requires thorough investigation. If you are one of those then the following sections as a whole would allow you to pick your favorite home theater system which suits your needs and preferences:
Space
Before you could jump on to the actual home theater equipment to purchase, you need to first consider the size of your room. The available space in the room and probable speaker placement would highly influence your decision about the type of equipment to buy with all its specific features. For example, if you have a small space then go for the system that comes with speakers of bookshelf sizes. For a slightly generously sized room, you may opt for a 7.1 setup which may come with a bookshelf or tall standing speakers.
Speakers
Now we come to the most critical part of your home theater system. They are the backbone of the entire setup and are responsible for delivering the desirable audio performance. You may get some with bookshelf speakers while some come with tall floor-standing types. Usually, you will get the speaker system with either a 5.1 or 7.1 channel option. There is also a subwoofer for reproducing the required low frequencies and there are satellite speaker options as well for the center, front and back audio channel output. You may place the speakers on the floor or they could also be mounted in the different corners of your room.
AV Receiver
The AV receiver is another crucial piece of equipment within the home theater system. The AV receivers of today come with a lot of cool features that you must look for. It is just that this support system should allow you to maximize the potential of the speakers or the subwoofers you have installed. For this to work effectively, you need to consider the power output which is measured in watts. You need to have a powerful enough receiver for providing speakers with the required power, giving optimal performance. Consider an AV receiver with 100 Watts of power at least for every channel. Impedance is another critical consideration here that determines the performance of the amp and speakers. The majority of speakers are usually rated from 6 to 8 Ohms. For home theater systems, the manufacturer pair-up the amp and speakers perfectly.
Build
The build quality of the AV receiver is of the essence. It is also about its weight and all other dimensions that could influence its performance, functionality, and usability, etc. The design should ideally have reasonable vents for tackling heat generation through its continuous use. After that, the build or design of the AV receiver also warrants you to check the function keys that are available on the panel. Ideally, you must be able to control the majority of the features that are part of your home theater system.
Connectivity
There are plenty of connectivity options to look for which are given below for your consideration:
- HDMI
Few of the earlier variants of AV receivers use to come with the 1.3 HDMI ports. The latest variants have HDMI 1.4. The newer HDMI option supports 3D video, Audio Return Channel 9ARC) and ten Ethernet over HDMI. The ARC option on the HDMI 1.4 passes audio from the TV or projector system to the AV receivers, speakers, or the Home-Theater-In-Box (HTIB).
- Ethernet
The Ethernet connectivity with the AV receiver is quite productive and it offers a range of benefits. The first and foremost benefit is to have a very convenient update with the firmware of the receiver and as well as to have online music streaming. Along with the DLNA option, you will be in a position to get access to the content which is available on your home network. On top of that, you will be able to play music from your smart devices including your smartphone and tablet, etc.
- USB Connectivity
If you are interested in having fast, quick, and reliable connectivity of your smart devices with the AV receiver then the USB connectivity option is suitable. There is an Apple Airplay connectivity option as well which only supports the latest models of iPhone and iPod etc. If you have older models then USB is the option you have for the required connectivity. This USB option is also preferred as it eliminates the need to have a dock station. The USB option allows not only to stream music but also to stream movies or watches photos that are stored on your smart device.
- Component and Composite Video
The majority of the AV equipment available today has connectivity with the component and composite video ports. These input ports make sure that there is backward compatibility. Therefore, you will be able to connect your older or outdated A/V devices such as CD/ DVD and VCR with the system.
Remote Control
It is not about having a home theater system with remote control as this option is available with almost all such systems. The point here is to have a remote with the best control features. The ideal remote should have the essential buttons to easily control the entire functionality of the AV receiver. The operating range and the quality of batteries used are also important.
Conclusion
When it comes to watching movies at home or listening to your favorite music then the conventional speaker system wouldn’t do justice. The soundbars take the experience way ahead as they are thought to be much better and versatile as compared with the built-in TV speakers. But, still, you don’t get the experience that is close to what you get in a cinema hall.
A home theater system could take the experience par excellence. Such systems come as a bundle with an audio amp receiver, satellite speakers, and subwoofers. You may get such systems from a variety of bands where the productivity of each differs based on features and their quality.
You need to buy the home theater system as a kit that is easy to purchase, economical and convenient to set up with no compatibility issues.
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